Forever - Chapter 42 #2
Brooklyn sniffed again.
“The world crumbles without you in it. So please stick around because my brother is worthless without you.”
I wouldn’t necessarily say I was worthless , but…he had a really good point. My life was certainly worthless without Brooklyn in it.
“I love you both. And I wish you a lifetime of happiness. To the new Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell. Welcome to the club.” He put his hand on Bee’s shoulder.
I pulled Brooklyn even closer and looked down at her. “What happened to smiling so hard that your cheeks would get stuck that way?”
She blinked her tears away. “Happiness has a lot of different faces.”
I leaned down and kissed her. I forgot we were in a crowded room until a few people whistled.
Brooklyn laughed and pulled back.
“I don’t know how I’m going to top that,” Kennedy said and slowly stood up.
She took the microphone from Mason. “I remember trying to think of what to say 16 years ago for your wedding. Back then everything seemed so much simpler. It was just…my best friend in the whole world getting married. But now?”
Kennedy shook her head. “I’ve made so many mistakes. And I am so so sorry that I haven’t always been the best friend I should have been. Back then. And more recently.” She cringed.
This was a little awkward…
“For years, I thought I lost my best friend. I felt so stuck in the past. I missed you so damn much, Brooklyn.” Kennedy started blinking fast. “I think the only person that missed you more was Matt. He never stopped missing you. Never stopped loving you. There’s always been a hole in his heart, waiting for you to come back and fill it.
And everything finally feels right in the world now that you’re back. ”
I turned to look at Brooklyn.
“Thank you,” she mouthed silently at Kennedy.
“It finally feels like we all get to live happily ever after. No more dark clouds. And no more bad luck,” she said firmly to Brooklyn. “Nunca.”
“Nunca,” Brooklyn said and lifted her glass.
Kennedy laughed. “Here’s to the happy couple. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness and laughter and joy. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, no one deserves that more than you, Brooklyn. I love you. And I’m so so freaking happy for you both.”
“I love you too,” Brooklyn said.
Everyone clapped as Kennedy sat back down.
That speech could have been the most awkward thing ever, but she’d ended up pulling it off.
I still couldn’t believe that I asked Brooklyn for a sign and then Kennedy had shown up.
I really really read into that too much.
And at such a terrible time, right when Brooklyn came back.
But Kennedy was right. Everything had worked out exactly how it was meant to.
I was back with Brooklyn, where I belonged.
And she was with Felix, who I apparently cock blocked like crazy in high school. I still felt really bad about that.
But this was a new beginning. A fresh start, just like Brooklyn had said. And I knew the four of us would always be friends.
The microphone made a screeching noise as Rob grabbed it from Kennedy.
Speaking of my friends…
“Great speeches, guys,” he said with a chuckle. “Bravo. But I feel like we didn’t embarrass anyone enough.”
Ah, fuck me.
“As Matt’s best friend…”
Tanner cleared his throat.
“Suck it, Tanner.”
Tanner rolled his eyes.
“As I was saying. As Matt’s best friend, I think it’s very appropriate to mention the fact that he almost didn’t get to win Brooklyn over. Because she almost got engaged to James.”
Not true, man.
Brooklyn laughed.
“And actually, Mr. Pruitt has a point too. Mason is clearly the better brother. He’s more…Masony.”
What the fuck does that even mean?
“Word,” Mason said.
“And Brooklyn’s certainly screamed my name before.” He winked at her.
Brooklyn’s cheeks turned red.
“But alas, she chose you or whatever. And you already knocked her up.” He laughed. “I’d call it a record, but I’m pretty sure Daphne and Penny were farther along when they walked down the aisle. The Hunters win.” He put his hand up to high five James.
I was surprised that James actually high fived him.
“I think that finally closes the case. The Hunters have bigger dicks. Enough said.”
“Shotgun weddings are not proof of dick size,” Mason said.
“Said the only one of us who didn’t knock up his wife before the vows were exchanged.” Rob raised his eyebrows at him. “This has been a long standing debate for anyone who doesn’t know what we’re talking about.”
“I don’t understand where this is going…” Brooklyn said.
“Everywhere,” Rob said. “Also, I just think it’s important for the best friend of the groom to speak. Because that’s why we’re here. And that’s what we are. Right, Matt? I’m your best friend? I want you to say it. So everyone can hear.”
This wasn’t supposed to be a moment for my vows to him. What was he doing? “You know I love all my groomsmen equally.”
“I knew it!” Nigel yelled. “Matt loves me! He said so. All that bath time we spent together really paid off.”
Umm…
“What is happening?” Brooklyn asked.
She’d figure out soon enough that I’d become a bit of a bath man.
“Chill, Nigel,” Rob said. “This isn’t about you. And I didn’t want it to come to this, Matt,” Rob said. “But you leave me no choice. Check this out.” He pulled out his phone and hit a button.
My voice filled the room with a recording: “Rob is my best friend. I like him the most of all my friends.”
Fuck. I’d forgotten about that.
Rob had somehow synced up to the D.J.’s speakers.
“Son of a bitch,” Tanner said.
“Let me play it again in case you didn’t hear.” Rob hit the button again. “Rob is my best friend. I like him the most of all my friends.”
Tanner glared at me.
“You were messing with my life,” I said.
“I was pissed at you.” It had actually been because he kept trying to set Kennedy up with Felix.
But I was not about to say that out loud right fucking now.
What the hell, Rob?! He said he was going to save this recording for Tanner’s wedding one day.
He’d never said anything about playing it at mine.
“But I was right about everything,” Tanner said. “Clearly.” He pointed to Brooklyn. “She’s always been your perfect match. It’s true love.”
“Well…yeah.” What else was I supposed to say? In the moment, I’d hated Tanner for interfering. But yes, I was obviously very fucking grateful. And I was not going to talk about that little hiccup with Kennedy on my fucking wedding day.
“So take it back,” Tanner said.
“Of course I take it back.”
“You can’t take it back,” Rob said. “Listen: ‘Rob is my best friend. I like him the most of all my friends.’ ”
“Stop playing that,” I said.
“No taksie backsies!” Rob yelled.
“Young Robert, we’re supposed to be celebrating the happy couple. Not…whatever it is you’re doing. Sit down, son.” Tanner tried to reach for the microphone, but Rob pulled it away with a deafening screech.
“Did you just call me son?” Rob looked deeply offended. “Why I oughta…”
“Enough,” James said and tried to pull Rob down into his chair.
But Rob shook him off. “Face havin’,” Rob said and put his hand in front of Tanner’s face.
“What does that even mean? Of course I have a face.” Tanner pushed his hand away.
“Based on the delivery and context, it seems as though Rob just directed a horrible insult at you,” Nigel said. “You should be devastated right now, Master Tanner.”
“You should be so devastated!” Rob said. “The most devastated. Ha!” He pointed at Tanner’s face.
But Tanner didn’t look devastated. He just looked confused and slightly entertained.
James successfully wrangled Rob into his chair.
“Congrats to the happy couple!” Rob yelled. “And my best friend!” Rob dropped the microphone and it screeched again.
“Um…thanks?” Brooklyn said.
“You’re welcome.” Rob winked at her.
I just shook my head. Although, that had been wildly entertaining. I expected nothing less from Rob commandeering a speech. I was pretty sure he was also already drunk.
Brooklyn looked up at me. “Interesting friends you got there.”
I laughed. “They’re your friends too.”
“Touché. But are you seriously never going to tell them who your best friend is?”
“No, I think they’d be too jealous when they found out it was you.”
She smiled up at me.
I ran my thumb along the tulle of her dress, tracing her clavicle bone.
Her throat made an adorable squeaking noise as she stared up at me.
Seriously, how much longer was she going to make me wait to get her out of her wedding dress?